Walgreens’ Pegus addresses Joslin Diabetes Roundtable

Roundtable held in Boston

BOSTON — Walgreens on Friday spoke of the breadth of programs the chain has developed, many in partnership with Joslin Diabetes Center, to assist people with diabetes in living more healthily, at the 2011 Joslin Diabetes Roundtable held here.

"Diabetes is one of the most serious health issues facing our country today, and the evidence is clear that new and innovative approaches are needed to successfully impact the spread of this epidemic," Walgreens chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus said. "With Walgreens unmatched footprint of over 8,500 points of care, we are uniquely positioned to provide patients access to programs that can help them both prevent and manage this disease. In Joslin, we have an ideal partner to help us build on the experience of our clinicians and drive measurable health outcomes for our patients."

"Diabetes is best managed using a multidisciplinary, team based approach to care, and keeping this disease under control requires patients to make decisions on everything from food to medication on a daily basis," Joslin SVP and chief medical officer Martin Abrahamson said. "Walgreens has the scope to address patient wellness and prevention and also provide interventions at multiple points of care. This, along with our clinical expertise, is a powerful combination, and we are excited by the difference we can make together."

In 2006, Walgreens and Joslin announced an alliance to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes and those at risk. At the 2011 Joslin Diabetes Roundtable, Pegus highlighted the key diabetes initiatives aimed at cost-effectively preventing and addressing the disease, including:

Collaborative efforts between Joslin and Walgreens, such as a diabetes training program aimed at thousands of pharmacists, online disease management training for Take Care nurse practitioners and MDs, and diabetes education classes in community settings;

Access to affordable ways to promote wellness and prevent the disease through Walgreens Take Care Clinics, Wellness Bus Tours and new Food Oasis programs in "food desert" markets without access to fresh foods; and

The success of pharmacist and health coach intervention efforts at the worksite through the Dimensions Program, and in the community through Walgreens Optimal Wellness.

The Joslin Diabetes Roundtable is an annual event that brings together leaders of the diabetes community to discuss and share thoughts on advancing care and education for patients and their families. In addition to hearing from Joslin experts and thought leaders from industry and academia, attendees take part in interactive breakout sessions aimed at spurring new thinking on addressing diabetes in America.

Poll

Poll

Which of the current U.S. Presidential hopefuls do you think would be best for your business?

Hillary Clinton

Jeb Bush

Donald Trump

Ted Cruz

Ben Carson

Scott Walker

Marco Rubio

Rand Paul

Chris Christie

Mike Huckabee

SPECIAL REPORTS

Pharmacy’s battle for recognition continues

Fifty years ago this summer, President Lyndon B. Johnson secured his place in history by signing into law the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. To commemorate the anniversary, Drug Store News has put together an exclusive report on the effect that Medicare and Medicaid have had on the retail pharmacy industry and how it has transformed the role of the pharmacist. more...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN profiles Rite Aid and how the company is achieving a vision to become a retail healthcare company that delivers a higher level of care to its communities; takes you on a tour of Sears; offers insight into millennial shoppers and more. Click here to view the issue.